City Life Starter

Following the end of our Luke series, the church had a chance for people to ask questions and have them answered on stage during a panel discussion. Most of the questions were not answered, but have been posted here on this devotional blog. Though, several of the original questions will not be addressed twice. Please watch the YouTube video below if you wish to hear these answers. The panel discussion starts at minute 40.

Spiritual Gifts

What is your stance on speaking in tongues as defined now? Did Paul mean it as angel language or just a diversity of tongues? (1 Corinthians 14)

Answer by Aisha Darwesh

My stance on speaking in tongues is mainly for personal edification in times of prayer via my heavenly prayer language. When I am praying in the spirit, my mind is not thinking about what to say, but I am yielding my spirit to God’s Spirit and using my voice to speak out the Holy Spirit’s intercession. Romans 8:26-27 states: 

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

When you’re not sure how to pray with your understanding, praying in tongues is a great alternative. Particularly at times when you are tempted to complain or groan about your circumstances, praying in tongues can be a great way to release those “groanings” in a healthy, positive way. 

Speaking in tongues is one of the nine spiritual gifts identified in 1 Corinthians 12, and I believe that it has a vital function in the Church as do all of the gifts, and these are given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). 

If you want to learn more about developing spiritual gifts, I highly recommend going through the Purple Book, attending a Biblical Foundations class, and/or attending the Prayer 101 meetings that City Life Houston offers. 

If the Greek word for tongues simply means languages spoken by different people groups, did our church use the gift of tongues in the Luke multilingual videos?

Answer by Stefan Johnsson

I would not agree that this is the correct interpretation of tongues. As per 1 Corinthians 14, tongues should come with some level of revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or word of instruction. It should also have an interpreter if spoken in a congregation. Just speaking the Words of scripture in a different language would not be defined as speaking in tongues.

Sacraments/Ordinances

Cleopas & the man walking to Emmaus (Luke 24) only recognized Christ upon the breaking of bread. How should that inform our understanding of communion?

Answer by Stefan Johnsson

Luke in 24:30 is trying to point us to what the breaking of bread signifies, which is the body of Christ broken for us on the cross. When we partake in Christ’s body, we share in his death and resurrection. I think this was a crucial connection that Luke wanted to make when writing his gospel. It does parallel communion and can be related to it, but it should not mean more than this. You have to be careful to make an inference that only when you “break bread” you will come to know who Jesus is(this would be an incorrect interpretation of scripture). There are plenty of other passages in the Bible that would refute this claim. 

Study Luke 9 and you will see connections here to how Luke is showing how Jesus had gone from missional to mission accomplished. First Luke reveals how Peter believes that Jesus is God’s Messiah (you can read the parallel story in John 6), then Jesus predicts His death the first time, followed by the transfiguration on the mountain. Here’s the key to what God is revealing to us through Luke’s gospel: In verses 44-45, Jesus is once again telling His disciples that He will suffer and die, and then rise again on the 3rd day, but this was “hidden from them.” God had not yet revealed this. It was like a veil put over their eyes. But now Jesus has ascended to sit on His throne, but it is still God who has to reveal this to us (John 6v44). Our eyes have to be opened and the veil lifted, but the breaking of bread is not a “key” to this.

Also, it is important to remember that the Holy Spirit had not yet descended on the apostles during Pentecost, so this was a time between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension to heaven. When the Holy Spirit came to earth in full force, it changed everything. Now it is through His power that people turn to God and see the truth for who Jesus is. Also, the apostles and early believers did not have the full revelation of Scripture(New Testament) to understand all that was revealed about Jesus in the Torah and the Prophets.

When it comes to communion, the breaking of bread is an important reminder for us of who Jesus is and what He came to do; it is His body that was shed for us on the cross. We do this together with other believers because we are confessing as a church, but it does not reveal to us more of who God is. This can only be done through studying the Word of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit.

What does Luke teach us about baptism via the thief on the cross? Could this rebel be circumcised? Paul later teaches baptism is the new form of circumcision.

Answer by Efe Abbe

We should be careful to not read our meanings into Biblical texts where the authors aren’t explicit about a specific doctrine or teaching. Luke’s account of the repentant thief isn’t intended to teach us about Baptism (although questions about the role of baptism may arise). Luke’s focus is on the complete, authoritative, and surprising gift of salvation Jesus offers to anyone who turns from sin to trust Him, including a thief who repents at death’s door. Because of his execution, that thief (except for a miracle) was not going to be given the chance to get baptized, but we know that Jesus saw that he was sincere in his repentance and offered him eternal life. However, those of us who have the privilege of baptism should be baptized to show our obedience to the Lord.

Should we fast because we’re supposed to or does it only mean anything if we do it when we actually want to (how tithing should be for example).

Written by Efe Abbe

Fasting is one of many disciplines that the people of God both before and after Jesus’ life on earth have practiced. Fasting serves to draw us near to God, increase our dependence on Him, and put us in a posture of humility in anticipation of God’s movement in our lives and communities. Your question is similar to my daily choice (or struggle) to exercise. Should I exercise? Yes. On the days when I simply go through the motions, do I still get the benefits of exercise? Yes. But there is an ideal moment when my “I should”  and  my “I want to” collide, and those moments are amazing! Like anything we are practicing to be disciplined in (fasting included), we will have ups and downs as we learn and practice. When we first choose to begin practicing anything, we certainly won’t be great at it or even feel like practicing all the time, but the more consistent and intentional we are, the more we improve, and hopefully desire to do it more often.

Answer by Nate Warren 

Jesus fasted in preparation for His wilderness temptation, by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). Fasting puts us into a position of expectation for God to graciously satisfy our desires and needs, solidifying our trust in Him. That trust prepares us for the calling (adventure) that lies ahead. Prepare well.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Is Mary the new ark of the covenant since God incarnated within her?

Answer by Paul Lane

I have heard this claim from Catholics, and some protestants, and can see how it might be true. But in most constructions, this line of reasoning leads to the veneration of Mary herself. In Catholic theology, Mary is seen as “hyperdulia,” a special, highest form of veneration, due to her supposed role in salvation, her supposed sinlessness, and bodily assumption into heaven. This is one of the concepts that Martin Luther, and most protestants, reject.  So, I believe that protestants can accept this thought, in the context that Mary as an ark is a type, or an object lesson, for us to understand God’s workings.  But in the protestant view it would not make her more than the blessed mother of Jesus.

Answer by Nate Warren

The concept of the Ark of the Covenant was that God’s presence was above it (Exodus 25:22) not within it, so I have my doubts about this idea, as fascinating as the discussion would be.

If queens in Ancient Israel were mothers of the king & Jesus is king, is Mary called blessed by all generations (Luke 1:48) because she is the queen of heaven?

Answer by Nate Warren

Taken from this prior blog post

Mary was, in two words, blessed and favored. She was blessed with knowing the Triune God on a personal level, the protection of a divine Father, the intimate familial knowledge of the Son, and the comfort, guidance, and joy of the Holy Spirit. This was favor, because this knowledge, this story, was being played out in secret, and she was in on it.

You too, are in on the secret. You too, are blessed and highly favored. We can have the same personal relationship with the Triune God that Mary had, but different – unique to us and our situation as it was to her. Because today the good news has been proclaimed, just as it was to Mary. Today, the Father overshadows us and protects us from all evil that will hinder His plans for us. Today, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, comforts and guides us as we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And today, the Son of God, is our mediator, High Priest, King, and friend. We can know the Triune God, just as Mary.